Fulton County Historical Society News
Summer 2001

Corrections to these news:

Two annual booklets listed as available are actually out of print:
1984 Volume 6: Silversmiths and Clockmakers of
Fulton County 1785-1900
1989 Volume 11: Down the Pike: Chambersburg-Bedford
Turnpike Co 1815-1913

The last Silversmiths booklet was sold; there are a few copies of
the Turnpike booklet for sale at Fulton
antiques, but when they sell, it is gone. Also, there are no more
copies of Anne Lodge's 1984 magazine
article available for sale.

"Show and Tell" Theme for Summer Meeting

The summer meeting of the Fulton County Historical Society will be held in the former Fulton
Theater (courtesy of The Fulton County National Bank, first block of N. Second St) on Saturday evening, July 21,
2001, at 7:00 p.m.. The building is air conditioned, with easy parking. There will be a short business meeting and
an update on Society projects.

One of our members suggested it would be interesting if people would bring some unusual item and tell
a story about it. This might be a household article no longer in use, a small farm tool seldom seen today, or
a unique homemade piece. It need not be valuable. Dick Miller will moderate this part of the program.
Come prepared to participate.

The Society collection contains several ladder back chairs which were made locally in Fulton County.
Glenn Cordell will point out distinguishing features of chairs made by Ephraim Lake (born 1823, buried
at Sideling Hill Primitive Baptist), Dan P. DeShong (1839-1910, buried at Sideling Hill Christian), and Will
Truax (1859-1929, buried at Pleasant Ridge Brethren). It seems all the older homes had chairs made by these
men, and they regularly come up at local household auctions even today. The meeting will close with light
refreshments. Come and bring a friend.

New Life Members

We are happy to welcome two new life members to our Society. Virginia Daniels Bailey of St. Louis,
Missouri, has local family roots in the Daniels, Blankley, Chesnut and Flora families of Fulton County.
Cathy McDermott of Derwood, Maryland, is researching the Holly family who owned the farm she purchased
on Layton Road in Brush Creek township; the homestead pre-dates the Civil War. Thanks for your support,
and best wishes to both!

Relocation of Historical Library

Your Board of Directors met in May to finalize arrangements for moving the Historical Society library
from the Fulton House to the Fulton County Library on North First Street. Books have been packed in
boxes, Maureen Snyder is stamping individual papers in the genealogy files, and Christy Weber is correcting
Union Cemetery dates and wants to update the cemetery file with obituaries from 1995-2000. The public
library board paid for new flooring, paneling and ceiling tile to renovate the room. The Society installed
additional lights, a security camera, and ordered eight bookcases, a lateral file, a display cabinet, and an oval 4' x
10' conference table with 8 swivel chairs. The 300 reels of microfilm were moved in mid-June but other
materials are on hold pending the arrival of the new shelves. We apologize to members for not meeting our target
opening date in early June. Please contact Glenn Cordell for a library update before making a special trip here to
use Society resources.

New sales items

Using slides taken by the late Cecil Williams, the Historical Society now has available four scenic
postcards from the four seasons in Fulton County. Prices are four cards for $1.20, or 25 cards for $5 (add 50
cents postage for a few cards, or $1 for 25.) Thanks to Gladys Williams and Dwight Harvey for filling this need.
The reprint of Volume 5 (Naturalization Papers) by Mercersburg Printing has arrived and sells for $4, plus $2
postage (can include postcards no extra postage.)

Security System Replaced

The electronic security system installed in the Fulton House museum and library rooms in the late
1970s failed this spring and had to be replaced. ADT Securities installed a new system with door pads, motion
detectors, and smoke sensors, and extended security coverage to the log kitchen for the first time. We hope the
cost is worthwhile in protecting items you entrusted to our care.

Committee Positions Still Available

Members have not exactly rushed forward to volunteer for committee assignments, so openings still exist.
If you can contribute ideas and a little time, it will strengthen our organization.

We also need a local "call list" of people who can help with phone inquiries from visitors who are working
in our Society library, questions on specific family genealogies or local events. If you are in the toll-free 485 or
987 telephone exchange, may we list your number along with the type of help you can offer by phone? Please
reply to Glenn Cordell at 485-3172 or glennc@innernet.net

CURRENT OFFICERS:

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Clem Malot, President

James Stewart 2004

Wayne MacDonald 2003

Dwight Harvey,Vice President

Anna Maye Sigel 2004

Stanley Kerlin 2002

Julia Elvey, Secretary

Bill Hammond 2003

Lindsay Mellott 2002

Jane MacDonald, Treasurer

SALE ITEMS

Annual booklets are $4 each plus postage ($2 will cover 4 small or 2 thick booklets)